Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 638 Nicholas' POV | was fixing the fence near the barrel storage when | heard the unmistakable sound of a car coming up the dirt road. | wasn't expecting anyone. | set the hammer down on the old wood, wiped my grease- and dirt-stained hands on my already ruined jeans, and walked toward the front of the estate, squinting against the afternoon sun. The car stopped near the main entrance, kicking up a cloud of dust that took its time settling. Renee stepped out of the driver's side. My jaw locked instantly. The muscles in my neck tightened on their own.

"You shouldn't be here," | said before she even had the chance to speak. She closed the car door with exaggerated care and adjusted her purse slowly. She looked... off. Not her usual sharp, combative self. Nervous? ---- Hesitant? | couldn't quite place it, but something was wrong. "Nick, | need to talk to you," she began, her voice softer and more controlled than | expected. "We have absolutely nothing to talk about," | cut in immediately, crossing my arms. "| thought | made that clear when | blocked you everywhere.

And when | deliberately ignored all your pathetic attempts to reach me." "know you're angry with me..." "Angry?" | let out a humorless laugh. "Angry isn't even close to what | feel for you right now." She took a breath, visibly steadying herself. Like she was holding words back. Weighing something. Which was suspicious all by itself. Renee never weighed anything. "Look, | understand your position," she said eventually, choosing her words carefully. "And maybe... maybe | overdid it. With some of the things | said. Some of the threats." | raised an eyebrow, genuinely incredulous.

---- And immediately suspicious. "What do you actually want?" | asked bluntly. "Because | know you didn't drive all the way here just to apologize." She opened her mouth like she was going to answer right away. Then closed it. She seemed to debate something internally for a few long, uncomfortable seconds. She looked at the dirt ground. At her car. At the property around us. Anywhere but at me. Her hands fidgeted with the strap of her purse. "Listen," she finally said, her voice different now. Less controlled. Less

serious accident." | frowned, confused by the sudden shift. "An accident?" "Yes," she continued quickly, the words spilling faster now. "A huge truck... hit a smaller car. Or actually, | think the car hit while trying to swerve away from the truck. I'm not sure. It was horrible. Ambulances, police, fire trucks, the whole road blocked off." | waited for her to get to the point. ---- "And?" | pressed when she paused too

there was too much chaos, too many people. | couldn't get close enough to confirm. \ just... thought you should know." | stood still, my mind racing. Gwen had texted earlier saying she was at the office all day. Important meetings. But she

steady. "But with you, there's always something underneath. Always a game. Always a lie." "There's no game this time," she insisted, but her eyes slid away. "I'm just telling you what | saw on the road." "Oh, really?" | challenged, stepping closer. "Then why didn't you stay there? Why didn't you help? Why